Paul Merson has intimated that William Saliba might not start Arsenal’s Premier League opener on Friday night.
The Gunners kick off their campaign with a difficult visit to Crystal Palace, who hammered them 3-0 earlier this calendar year.
Arsenal have looked mightily impressive in a number of friendlies thus far and in addition to Gabriel Jesus, Saliba, in particular, has looked special.
The France international joined the club three years ago and his impressive pre-season campaign has given rise to suggestions that he’s set to start at Selhurst Park tomorrow night.
Last season, Mikel Arteta primarily used Ben White and Gabriel as his main centre-back partnership.
And Merson, speaking to Sportskeeda, has suggested that those two will continue in central defence again at the expense of Saliba.
He said: “Mikel Arteta will probably go with his tried and tested team. Ben White played in midfield in pre-season, but I think he’ll play alongside Gabriel in defence. As the season went on last year, the two of them did really well for the team.”
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Speaking earlier on Thursday, Arteta revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to feature and if the Japan international is fit enough, that means White is unlikely to play at right-back.
If it’s a choice between White or the French powerhouse in central defence, the Arsenal manager is more than likely going to punt for the former, due to his experience alongside Gabriel, as Merson pointed out.
Nevertheless, Saliba has been immense in recent weeks and although it might not come tomorrow, a Premier League debut remains only a matter of time and hopefully for him – and the Gunners – he can clasp the opportunity with both hands.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
